For Him, I Would

Chapter Forty-Three - Break it down together.

"Have you ever seen a bat, Grandpa?" Tate asked at the dinner table.

The conversation had been light that evening, Beth and Rip choosing not to join the rest of them. At first, Oakley felt bad but then remembered her last conversation with Beth in the hospital room and figured maybe it was still for the best. John looked over at his grandson with a smile.

"I'm sure I have," John wiped his mouth. "I'm pretty old so I've been around a while."

"We're learning about them in school," Tate said as he chewed his food.

Oakley looked across the table at Tate, while she sat next to Kayce. Gator had fixed them a stew dinner with cornbread and green beans for the sides. It had warmed Oakley up in a way that made her stomach settle for the first time in a few weeks. She hadn't eaten all her food, but she was full as she leaned back in her seat, sipping her glass of wine.

"Well," John cleared his throat. "They are part of the pollination season and they help with the bugs."

"When they aren't trying to suck your blood!" Tate held up his two fingers to make them look like fangs in his mouth.

The adults all chuckled, and Oakley was so grateful for Tate being there to lighten the mood. When she had walked in, John had wrapped an arm around her as they walked into the dining room. He had been kind enough to speak to her like the last few weeks hadn't happened, but still held respect for her feelings.

While John spoke with Tate about bats, Kayce reached over and placed his hand on Oakley's thigh, his thumb rubbing softly over her jeans. Oakley placed her wine glass back on the table and looked over at Kayce who was watching his father and son.

Oakley's heart felt like it was still bruised right now, but there wasn't a heaviness around it anymore. She felt like she could breathe some as Tate continued to entertain the table. After dinner, they said their goodnights and started to walk back to the foreman's cabin.

"Tate?" John called before they could all walk onto the front porch. "You wanna stay with me tonight?"

"Dad, can I?" Tate looked at Kayce.

"Sure, bud," Kayce nodded. "I'll come to get you in the morning."

Tate ran back inside while John waved to Oakley and Kayce as they started back. It was cold as Oakley stuffed her hands in her coat pocket, walking swiftly to keep up with Kayce. She could see her breath in the porch light as Kayce opened the door and stepped aside for Oakley to walk in. They were both quiet as they removed their coats and walked around the cabin.

Oakley went into the bedroom and placed her boots in the closet before stepping into the bathroom. Her cheeks were pink from the cold wind, but her eyes looked lighter than they had been in a while. There was still a lot to unpack with Kayce, but for right now Oakley was feeling better about things.

When she walked into the living room again, Kayce was sitting on the couch pouring himself a whiskey. He had another glass out and looked up at Oakley in question.

"I'm good," Oakley shook her head but walked over to sit next to Kayce. "But thank you."

Kayce leaned back and rested his head against the back of the couch. He took a deep breath as he sipped his glass, resting it on his knee. Oakley leaned her elbow on the back of the couch, next to Kayce, leaning her head against her hand as she watched him.

The cheek she had slapped earlier that morning was facing her and Oakley felt her throat tighten with the memory. She would have to get used to making that pass by her thoughts. Kayce's eyes looked over to Oakley, but he didn't move his head.